Rage Take Brohm With 1st Pick Ever

The Xfl Team Used Territorial Picks On Ex-ucf Players Reggie Doster And Si Burley.

October 29, 2000|By Jerry Greene of The Sentinel Staff

Once Jeff Brohm was sure defensive ends cannot use steel chairs when blindsiding a quarterback, he became excited about playing in the first season of the XFL. Brohm, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer, was the first player selected Saturday by the Orlando Rage in the stocking draft of the new league.

"At first, all I heard was how the quarterbacks were going to be hit -- a lot," Brohm said from his home in Louisville, Ky., "but I can deal with legal hits. The good news is, I'm going to be playing again, having fun and helping Orlando win the league's first championship."

Brohm, 29, spent six seasons in the NFL, mostly as a backup with eight career appearances after two outstanding seasons at the University of Louisville. After NFL stints at San Diego and San Francisco, he spent 1998 on injured reserve with the Bucs because of an injured thumb.

He was released by the Bucs last year when they drafted Shaun King and picked up Eric Zeier as a cheaper backup. Brohm was picked up by Denver as the Broncos' No. 3 quarterback but released before this season began.

"We're excited about getting Jeff," said Rage Coach Galen Hall, who has not met Brohm yet.

"We know he's intelligent, and his NFL experience has to help when we're building a new team."

The Rage drafted 10 players Saturday and will draft 49 more today and Monday. In addition, the Rage claimed 11 "territorial" players from Florida, Miami and Central Florida, including wide receivers Si Burley and Reggie Doster from UCF.

Six of the XFL's eight teams used their first picks to select quarterbacks, starting with another former Buc -- Scott Milanovich, selected by the Los Angeles Xtreme. Milanovich is another former Bucs player.

Former FSU passer Casey Weldon was the second player picked, taken by Birmingham. The Rage planned on taking either Brohm or Weldon, not expecting both to be available when they came up fourth.

After finding a quarterback, Hall went for size and familiarity. Four of the Rage's next eight picks were linemen, while five of Hall's 10 picks played for his Rhein Fire in NFL Europe.

"Always a plus to have players familiar with your system," Hall said. "They will be a step ahead in training camp."

The Rage's fourth-round pick was running back Derrick Clark of Apopka, who played five seasons for Hall in NFL Europe.

Hall also selected James Roberson, a defensive end from Florida State, with the team's sixth pick.

The Rage will start their camp Jan. 2 with 70 players and open the season Feb. 3 with a home game against the Chicago Enforcers.